June, 2009 archive
The Ideology of Fantastickal Thinking 0
The United States can, from time to time, influence events in other countries, though the Bush Reign of Error has greatly weakened that influence.
One of the delusions of wingnut thinking is that the United States can somehow control–not influence, control–the world and every little thing that happens therein.
It can’t.
Winguttery is as absurb as Communism in its faith that Utopia will come simply because its theory says that Utopia will come. It is absurd as my asserting that a flower will grow out of my head simply because I believe a flower will grow out of my head. Even granting that my head my be full of manure, it still ain’t growing no flowers (at least not while I am alive to see them). For the very theory is flowed, being based on postulates that just ain’t so.
Witnesseth the delusion (follow the link for video):
What is happening in Iran is internal to Iran.
My first boss, Denny, who was a good boss, used to say that his own first boss was the best teacher he ever had.
Whenever Denny faced a quandary, he considered what his first boss would have done and did the exact opposite, leading to this analogy:
Republican Party:Decisions::Denny’s First Boss:Denny
Aside: I know what it feels like to be wrong; I’ve been wrong many times. But to know what it feels like to be wrong all the time and still be certain you’re right? Ask a wingnut.
Honestly, These People Are Nuts 0
There’s no other explanation for it.
On a Personal Note 0
First Son made Captain, 82nd Airborne, United States Army.
’bout Time Someone Saw through This 0
Shades of the inside back cover of Boy’s Life when I was a young ‘un:
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it arrested the man, identified as Chung, on suspicions of selling fake made-in-China see-through glasses to 13 people and reaping nearly 6 million won ($4,700) in illegal gains. He was taken into custody, it said. He sold the glasses for 550,000 won apiece.
Via Spark.
Southern Strategy 0
Josh Marshal on the Republican Party’s losing support among Hispanic voters (and remember that voters are by definition citizens):
(snip)
In other words, it’s not a mistake or incompetence or any lack of planning that has Republicans in such a bad position with Hispanics, America’s fastest growing ethnic group. It’s just that people who are hostile to Hispanic immigration and just Hispanics in general are one of the GOP’s key constituencies. That puts some real obstacles in the way of becoming the party of Hispanics. To put it mildly …
“Financial Products” Is a Marketing Term 0
The reality is all glitz and packaging and the old shell game:
“Today, the business model has shifted. Giant lenders ‘compete’ for business by talking about nominal interest rates, free gifts and warm feelings, but the fine print hides the things that really rake in the cash. Today’s business model is about making money through tricks and traps,” she said.
Needless to say, the proprietors of the financial medicine shows banksters are protesting.
In labor relations, it is a truism that unions are the creation of management. Fair management does not cause unions.
In finance, regulation is the creation of the medicine show guys.
Iran 0
I’m staying out of that fuss, other than to point and laugh at the wingnut warmongers, because I don’t know what’s going on over there and, frankly, I think no one else on this side of the Atlantic does either.
But for some good information that’s not in the media or Blogosphere spotlight, check out Poli Blog by political scientist Steven L. Taylor.
I’m not linking to a specific story, just to the front page. It’s a good place to start.
Travel Day 0
Returning from the beach to Pine View World headquarters.
In other news, John Cole demonstrates why news stories about the situations of individuals don’t necessarily support generalizations.
“You’ve Got To Be Taught” 0
I nominate this as the anthem of the odious Southern Strategy of the Republican Party:
Kraphammer (Updated) 0
Steve at ASZ on war mongering:
Yeah, Charles Krauthammer is pounding out the drumbeats of war yet again, and along the way he’s writing irresponsible drivel filled with straw men and whacked out rhetorical accusations.
Addendum:
More here, via Andrew Sullivan.
Punditry, n., an endeavor in which being consistently wrong is the key to job security.
We Need Single Payer 0
But it’s not a political option, so support a public healthcare option here.
Drinking Liberally 0
Tuesday, Triumph Brewing Company, 2nd and Chestnut, Philadelphia, Pa, 6 p.
I won’t be there. I’ll be saying good-bye to First Son who’s soon off for his third tour in a war zone.
No Mo’ Commando 0
From El Reg:
Which city department will inspect for violations? Fire? Parks and Recreation? Public Works?
Nomenclature 0
El Reg lays down the law. A nugget:
Rule 1: (In the Python manner) Naaaaaaaaah hobbits!
Rule 2: An enlargement and clarification of rule 1. We mean not only no Frodo, no Bilbo, no Merry, no Pippin, no Marmadoc Brandybuck, nor Adalgrim Took, nor Lobelia (Bracegirdle) Sackville-Baggins; we also mean no Gandalf, no Gollum, no Preciousss, no Treebeard, no Sauron, no Glóin son of Gróin nor yet Glóin son of Thorin, even if your network does support mixed case, UTF-8 and spaces in its names. The ban also implies no Eöl, no Rohirrim, no Melkor, no Mordor, no Sindarin, no Eleventy-first birthdays and definitely, absolutely, certainly no Tom bloody Bombadil.
Curiously, however, ‘Tolkein’ is quite a good name for a server.
I name all my computers after sea creatures, such as Mackeral, Orca, Marlin, Tuna (the webserver), and Sardine (the netbook, of course).
Swine Flew 0
Carriers from Air France-KLM Group to AirAsia, already coping with a slump in travel, also have to deal with banks that are unwilling to finance aircraft purchases. Airlines have to come up with money to pay for jets ordered years ago or face penalties for cancellations. In 2010, the funding shortfall may reach $36 billion, or as much as 60 percent of the spending on larger aircraft, said Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Evolution Securities in London.
That’s because they are too busy at the trough.
Light Bloggery 0
The surf was nice.
